A look at the Ag Expo’s top 10 new products

Tony Cecil, a product specialist for AGCO, leans against one of the rear wheel assemblies of the Hesston-Built WR9800 Series wind rower on display at this week’s 2016 World Ag Expo. The vehicle features a “RearSteer” system that allows it to be steered via its rear wheels rather that by the larger front wheels, which are harder to maneuver on roads.(Photo: David Castellon)

With more than 1,500 exhibitors and vendors planning to show off their wares at this week’s 2016 World Ag Expo, just about anything needed on a farm, ranch or other agricultural operation likely will be on display during the three-day event.

But a favorite part for many attending of the Expo in Tulare, the largest agricultural trade show in the world, is checking out new products and variations on existing products being introduced to a wide industry audience here.

And each year, organizers of the Expo look at the dozens of those new products and narrow down the 10 that they believe represent the very best.

This year’s top 10 include a lift gate for trucks that can be removed when it isn’t needed, a battery-operated backpack sprayer that can hold an eight-hour charge and a machine that washes solar panels with a large, spinning brush, like the kind used at automated car washes.

Here is is a look at those products which will be on display at the Ag Expo and can be spotted by looking for the green “Top 10” banner next to each display:

Megawash

Coldwell Solar, Inc.

Solar panels and solar farms are becoming increasingly popular on farms and dairies as cheaper sources of energy.

But to work efficiently, those panels need to be cleaned of dirt and grime at least a couple of times a year, and possibly more at farms, where dust levels can be high.

Methods to clean those panels vary from pressure washing to hosing them off and using squeegees, which can use lot of water and be very time consuming.

And this work has to be done carefully, as to not damage the costly panels.

Operators of Rocklin-based Coldwell Solar say they’ve come up with a better method of cleaning solar panel by using the MegaWash, which looks like a small tractor mounted with a mechanical arm and a 13-foot-long spindle attached.

That spindle is lined with microfiber cloths like the cleaning arms of car washes. But this spinning spindle can be extended over the solar panels and clean them off with water pumped from a tank mounted in the rear of the tractor.

Company officials note that the water is filtered and treated before use, to prevent water spots as the panels dry.

They also claim that MegaWash uses about 80 percent less water than other solar-panel cleaning methods, and the machine can do the work in about 75 percent less time.

Coldwell didn’t invent this technology. In fact, the vehicles were purchased from a German manufacturer, and the equipment — as are other automated solar panel cleaners — is being used in Europe.

Instead, Coldwell, which primarily is in the business of installing solar panels, has launched a cleaning service using the MegaWash in Central California and is considering buying more to offer the service in Southern and Northern California.

Cost: Varies by job.

Display location: Booth space G7

Gemini Dual Pump Kit

Ace Pump Corp

Normally, Jeff Glick, owner of Loomis-based West Flow Co., sells centrifugal pumps that spray liquid fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals from the back of farm vehicles onto fields.

But this year, he also is selling a product that allows farmers to spray more than one chemical at a time.

The Gemini Dual Pump Kit, by Tennessee-based Ace Pumps, has a second valve that can be hooked up to a second pump on a spraying vehicle.

“It’s a way to regulate the flow of the two pumps,” and the rate of application for each chemical can be adjusted to what is needed in a given part of a farm, which Glick said saves farmers the time compared to applying the chemicals separately with a single-valve control device, he said.

Those valve adjustments can be done by hand, or the device can be hooked up to a computer programmed to make more precise adjustments of the application rates throughout a farm.

Retail price: $1,950

Display location: Building C, section 3000

Hesston-Built WR9800 Series RearSteer

AGCO Corporation

This Hesston-Built WR9800 Series wind rower on display at this week’s 2016 World Ag Expo features a “RearSteer” system that allows the vehicle to be steered via its rear wheels rather that by the larger front wheels, which are harder to maneuver on roads.(Photo: David Castellon)

A wind rower is easy enough to maneuver in a field with a heavy draper head mounted on front cutting down rows of hay and other forage grasses.

But driving them on roads to get from one field to the next or from one farm to the next is a challenge, as their large, heavy front wheels aren’t so easy to control on roads, particularly with lots of traffic around them.

But AGCO, a Georgia-based manufacturer of heavy farm vehicles, has come up with a solution for this problem by creating a “RearSteer” system and installing it in its 9000-series rowers.

Normally, a rower’s rear wheels simply rolled in response to the front wheel’s steering, like those on a shopping cart, said Tony Cecil, a product specialist for AGCO.

With the new design, the driver can switch off the front-wheel steering system when getting onto the road and activate integrated hydraulic cylinders connected to the rear wheels so they steer while the front wheels continue providing power to advance or back up.

This steering method allows for better maneuverability on roads, even with a wide draper head attached — so they don’t have to be removed and towed to a new site — and the wind rower can move a couple of miles an hour faster than standard rowers, all of which saves time and extra work.

Price: About $152,000, without a draper head.

Display location: AGCO Booth Space at North and Q streets

PJB-16 Battery-Operated Backpack Sprayer

Jacto, Inc.

A backpack sprayer isn’t new technology, nor is having one with a battery-powered motor to pump out the spray for applying insecticides and other chemicals in small areas.

But when Jacto, Inc, a Brazilian company that has been making sprayers — big and small — for decades, decided to make its first battery-operated backpack sprayer last year, designers decided to forgo nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries in favor of using newer-generation lithium-ion batteries.

The result was a lighter automated sprayer that weighs about as much as a standard backpack model with a hand pump.

In addition, the lithium-ion batteries can operate for eight hours on a single, full charge, so workers don’t have to be near power sources for recharging to get a full day’s work out of their packs, officials from Jacto’s U.S. division said.

Cost: $169 for the two-gallon model and $350-$400 for the five-gallon model.

Display location: Booth space K52

Intelligent Wireless Irrigation Control

ANC Technology

Dennis Noble said inventing his wireless controller had to do less with making something new and more with marrying existing technologies into one system.

After 10 years of work, Noble, ANC’s director of engineering, said he succeeded by creating a system that uses ground sensors to monitor moisture on farms while individual “zone” control devices use that data to control irrigation systems in various parts of a farm.

And those zone controls each have individual solar panels to keep them powered without the need to be wired into an electrical system.

All are connected to a main control system that can control up to 60 zone controllers via radio links.

That main controller — about the size of a computer tablet — also can be accessed via a WiFi signal through a computer, tablet or smartphone to monitor moisture levels and to alter the irrigation program.

Cost: $500 for main controller, $250 for each remote controller

Display location: Booth Space G7

Fox-Paws

RedFox Safety Products

The Fox-Paws wireless shut down safety system Ted Lacy developed received a 2016 World Ag Expo Top 10 New Product recognition — the first the Idaho businessman is exhibiting in Tulare.

The system also saved his life.

Lacy said his coat was caught in the belt of a seed cleaner while making adjustments on a handle. Lacy said he recalls attempting to get loose, but was unable to.

“There I was literally caught with no way of escaping,” Lacy wrote on letter detailing the incident.

The machinery was connected to a wireless shut off system, which had been previously installed while trying to find how far away equipment could be turned off.

After stopping the seed cleaner, Lacy was able to free himself.

The Fox-Paws is not limited to seed cleaners, Lacy said. The system could be used on water pumps or chippers.

At his booth, Lacy has small display connected to the switch, making for easy demonstrations.

“People like to see toys,” he said. “It’s cool to see.”

Lacy said he was surprised getting the nomination for Top 10 New Product.

Display location: Pavilion D, 4400

VideoFied Ag Alarm System

Stanley Convergent Security Solutions

Alan Roberts has a similar story of how Videofied Ag Alarm System, an outdoor, wireless security system for farm systems was developed. The system includes motion sensors.

Roberts said farmers were victims of theft as chemicals and other valuables are stored in remote areas. In fact, Roberts’ relative was victim of agriculture theft so often he changed delivery of items, adding to operation cost.

The VideoFied, which is battery operated and includes a video camera and infrared readers, can be installed to provide a vigilant eye for large outdoor areas.

If there’s a break in, police can be called and respond immediately as the instance is a confirmed criminal act. The system also records video, which could be available for use.

Roberts said a relative who operates a raisin ranch is already using the system. The security system can be used for barns and buildings, machinery, storage, crops, irrigation and even areas where livestock is kept.

“We can place it anywhere,” he said.

Display location: Pavilion A, 1418

Fully Automated Shaker Technology: Tree Seeker

Orchard Machinery Corporation

Orchard Machinery Corporation is introducing a prototype that reduces the repetitive motions of operating a nut shaker machine.

Designed for almonds and small walnut trees, the prototype reduces the amount of repetitive motions the operators must do driving down a grove. The prototype is set at a cruise control like mode, including auto steering.

The prototype is the result of years of development and is debuting at this year’s farm show.

“We always try to have something new and innovative,” said Taylor Brady. “And when we have something new, we try to debut it here.”

The prototype received a Top 10 New Product award.

Display location: M25

LiftGator XTR

LiftGator

Justin Russo said he developed the LiftGator, which attaches to a truck’s hitch and whose platform folds in after use, when he needed to load tools and a welder into his truck — by himself.

The lift can handle up to 1,200 lbs. with the ease of a single button, Russo said. The lift also includes supports that easily be adjusted, making it the product mobile.

In a quick demonstration, Russo jumped into the lift and pushed in a button, easily lifting him to the height of the truck’s bed.

If equipment were being used, it could be pushed in to a truck’s bed. No physical strain is needed to move the equipment.

After jumping off from the truck, Russo lifted the platform which folds in thirds.

The LiftGator, which received a 2016 WAE Top 10 Product award, was developed over the last three years, Russo said.

Based in Atascadero, Russo said he was pleased with the nomination.

Russo said he hopes to get a lot of exposure for the LiftGator.

“We looking for people to come out. We want to do a lot of demonstrations,” he said.

Display location: GS58

Tule

Tule Technologies

San Francisco-based Tule received a 2016 World Ag Expo Top 10 New Product award for its FieldStat, which measures and monitors crops’ water stress and use.

Stacey LaBarge said FieldStat provides the information remotely, preventing farmers and growers from having to drive to locations and perform measurements.

The readings from FieldStat are more comprehensive than pressure bomb readings, which give reading of one plant. According to Tule, FieldStat provides information for plant water status in areas of up to 10 acres.

FieldStat can be used in as many as 13 crops. LaBarge said FieldStat is most commonly used in almonds and wine grapes.

LaBarge said FieldStat is the result of research work at UC Davis and is debuting at WAE.

“Our intention is to make sure people know about this technology exists,” LaBarge said. “It’s a lot of education.”